Chapter 77: The Steward of the Su Family [4]

Yan Yu had long since dispensed with formalities when it came to Master Cao, so when the doorbell rang, he answered it wearing nothing but his flower-print boxers, his hair wild and uncombed, greasy hands still dripping from whatever he’d been eating.

“Old Cao, I heard you snuck off for the full 998 package again. Come on, slow down, will you? If it’s too much, let me take some of the burden off your hands…” Yan Yu opened the door, words still trailing on his lips, only to see that it was not Master Cao standing outside, but an elderly gentleman in a sleek suit.

The old man’s eye twitched noticeably at the sight of Yan Yu.

“Uh… cough, cough, we’re not interested in buying insurance…” Yan Yu mumbled awkwardly.

The old man nearly coughed up blood. Did this young man really think he was selling insurance? At his age, would anyone still be out selling policies?

“Young man, I’m not here to sell insurance.”

“We don’t need any laundry detergent either…”

“I’m not here to sell laundry detergent!”

“The water meter’s outside…”

“Do I look like I’m here to check the water meter?” The old man was sweating now, struggling to keep his composure, but all the etiquette he’d learned abroad seemed utterly useless in the face of this young man’s antics.

“So… what brings you here?” Yan Yu scratched his head.

The old man took a deep breath and spoke slowly. “My name is Mo Kunhua. I am the steward of the Su family in Lucheng. I’ve come today to speak with Miss Su of our family regarding Old Master Su’s eightieth birthday.”

“Su? Oh, you’re looking for Su Han!” Yan Yu finally caught on.

“Yes… exactly. May I ask if Miss Su is here?”

“She’s here, she’s here. Just a moment, I’ll go get her.” Yan Yu turned around to call for Su Han, scratching his backside as he did.

Steward Mo could only sigh in exasperation.

He’d already heard that his young mistress, in a fit of temper, had left the faculty dormitory and, remarkably, was now living with a young man. He had imagined that this young man must be refined, talented, strikingly handsome, and of distinguished background—otherwise, how could he possibly win over their Miss Su?

But upon meeting him today, it was clear that not a single one of those descriptions fit.

Those half-lidded, sleep-deprived eyes, that unruly mop of hair, those greasy fingers… And the boy couldn’t be more than eighteen, while Su Han was already twenty-two. Could it be that the young lady he’d watched grow up had developed a taste for much younger men?

Steward Mo hastily pushed those thoughts aside, forcing a polite smile and preparing to greet his young mistress.

But then—

“Who’s looking for me, Yan Yu? I’m warning you, if there’s anyone at the door selling insurance, laundry detergent, or here to check the water meter, you’re dead meat!”

Su Han, still wearing her apron, was bantering with Yan Yu as she walked to the door.

“Mi… Miss?” Steward Mo gasped in disbelief.

Su Han was startled, and upon seeing him, hurriedly untied her apron, coughing to compose herself. “Steward Mo, how did you manage to find me here?”

Steward Mo wiped his eyes. Had he seen correctly—was his young mistress actually wearing an apron?

Was this really the pampered Miss Su, whose delicate hands never touched even spring water?

But being a man of the world, Steward Mo cleared his throat and spoke slowly, “Miss, you’ve been away from home long enough. Don’t you think it’s time to return?”

“I… I don’t want to go back,” Su Han said with a frown. “If I do, Grandpa will just try to force me into another blind date.”

“Miss, you’re not so young anymore. It’s time you found a proper match…” Steward Mo glanced nervously at Yan Yu, shuddering involuntarily. “Old Master Su said he wouldn’t interfere this time. You’re free to choose as you wish…”

“Isn’t all this just to get me to go back? Steward Mo, you should return. I’m doing perfectly well here.” Su Han replied firmly.

Steward Mo sighed. “Miss, you are the eldest daughter of the Su family. Living alone outside is one thing, but… if you’re mingling with certain types of people, or even living together, tongues will wag. Even if you don’t care, Old Master Su’s reputation will suffer…”

“His reputation is his own concern—what does it have to do with me? I’ll befriend and live with whomever I please. Please, Steward Mo, tell him to look after his grand Su family and leave me, his insignificant granddaughter, alone.” The more Su Han spoke, the angrier she got. In the end, she turned around and went back to her room to talk with Zhao Qingqing.

Steward Mo and Yan Yu were left standing awkwardly at the door.

“Ahem… I’m just an outsider, but I think it’s the twenty-first century—kids should be free to choose their own partners…” Yan Yu said, clearing his throat.

Steward Mo’s expression hardened. “Young man, I fear you don’t know who Miss Su truly is.”

“I have no interest in knowing,” Yan Yu replied calmly.

“Once you do, you may think differently. People in this world are not all born equal. Those of lower status can marry as they wish, but for certain people of the upper ranks, such things are not always up to them.”

Yan Yu frowned slightly, disliking the sound of such words.

Who said people could be split into ranks? No matter how distinguished Su Han’s family might be, they were still just people. And besides, Yan Yu’s own background was hardly ordinary—any one of his five mothers was someone exceptional.

Had he ever flaunted it? Had he ever boasted? Yan Yu quietly gave himself a mental pat on the back for his humility.

Steward Mo sighed deeply. “Never mind. Sooner or later, Miss will understand her grandfather’s intentions. Young man, what’s your name?”

“What does Old Master Su’s intentions have to do with my name…” Yan Yu muttered.

“I’m simply asking…”

“My name is Yan Yu, as in King Yan.”

“Very well. I’ll remember your name.” With that, Steward Mo pulled an envelope edged in gold from his pocket and handed it to Yan Yu. “Since Miss is at her meal, I won’t intrude further. Please give this letter to her.”

“Alright.”

Under Steward Mo’s gloomy gaze, Yan Yu took the gilded envelope with his greasy hand and even reached out to shake his hand. “Goodbye?”

Steward Mo did not take his hand, merely smiled. “Goodbye.”

After closing the door, Yan Yu shrugged, headed back to the living room, and tossed the letter onto the dining table. “That old man left this for you.”

“Hmph, I bet it’s nothing good,” Su Han muttered, pouting.

Zhao Qingqing, resting her chin in her hands, giggled. “Xiao Su, with your family’s status, why did you come to teach at Rongcheng No. 1 High?”

“It’s all because my family’s been pressuring me. I’d barely graduated when they started pushing me into blind dates, as if they couldn’t wait to marry me off. It’s not like I’m unwanted or anything…”

Yan Yu swallowed hard and said earnestly, “Miss Su, with your looks, I’m sure you’ll never lack admirers. But your temper… tsk, tsk, that’s another story. Who’d want to bring a tigress home?”

“Yan Yu, you’re asking for it!”